title: Impact of the novel hepatotropic viruslike agent NV-F during chronic hepatitis C virus infection.
abstract: NV-F is a novel hepatotropic viruslike agent. To investigate the impact of the NV-F agent during chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, 101 consecutive patients with chronic HCV infection were evaluated. NV-F DNA in serum samples and NV-F antigen expression in liver tissues were assessed. All patients subsequently received a 6-month course of interferon-based antiviral therapy. Of the 101 patients, 30 (29.7%) were positive for serum NV-F DNA. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed positive NV-F antigen expression in the liver in 14 of these 30 patients. Patients positive for serum NV-F DNA had significantly higher serum aminotransferase levels (P < .001) and higher Knodell histology activity index values (P < .001). The sustained virological response rate for HCV clearance was not significantly different between patients with and those without detectable serum NV-F DNA. In conclusion, coinfection of the NV-F agent in chronic HCV infection is associated with more severe hepatitis activity.
authors.affiliation: Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. chauting@adm.cgmh.org.tw
authors.forename: Chau-Ting
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.forename: Chao-Wei
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Ming-Ling
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Mei-Ling
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Tsao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006518:Hepatitis Viruses / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a